CWSpalehoseCWS

Man that Q move is certainly appearing to be a steal. Nice to see Cease get some well deserved recognition.

I'd almost be willing to put Bonds, Sosa, ARod, Clemens, etc. in the Hall if baseball acknowledged the Steroid Era for what it was. If they dedicated a wing or whatever and stuck all these guys in there I think that would be acceptable. One giant asterisk. One way to look at it is - yes, they cheated - but they were the best in an era of baseball were a vast majority of the league was also cheating. I don't think they have any business being next to guys like Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, etc., but maybe acknowledge that that was one hell of an entertaining era (as much as I dislike those guys for cheating).

This is my concern as well. To be a fly on the wall during these negotiations.

When I saw these tweeted out, all I could think of is that marketing team sitting at a table saying, "man, we really should have picked an athlete that we could guarantee would have a team by this point." I can't imagine they are happy that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight yet.

It could really be there is no other offer to force the Sox to go higher. Market is dry.

Highly recommend you watch Band of Brothers next. Amazing series.

I don't feel bad for him. A guy I do feel bad for: Oliver Drake.

I'm glad Lozano released that statement. Whether it hurts the Sox or not - this has completely gotten out of hand. What a damn shit show.

Could Philly be the team? Just thinking outside the box, but what if they are trying to sway perception in an effort to get Harper on a lower deal? That would allow them to chase after some of the remaining big names out there.

A hard salary cap will only make this worse. Teams already refuse to go beyond the luxury tax, why would a salary cap suddenly make them want to spend more than they already do? It will not fix what we are seeing these past two off seasons.

This is just mind boggling. There’s no way this is the offer they proposed. Even as a negotiating tactic it’s such a beatable offer and makes no sense. How are other teams not jumping all over this?

I guess Machado could have told the Phillies he prefers Chicago to them, but that would hurt his negotiating leverage with the Sox. The Phillies could have changed direction intentionally to focus more on Harper, but that could also be a tactic to try and put more pressure on Machado to make a decision. At this point I don’t think anyone really truely knows what’s going on other than the players, the agents, and the front offices. This is all just so tiring to try and figure out. The negotiations are like a Mexican standoff where nobody wants to give in. Patience literally is a fucking virtue.

Would love to know as well. Can you at least say if it was a trade or FA signing?

This would be my guess. Yea, I find that hard to believe. Unless Harper has specifically told the Sox "I will not play for you," (which is moronic because it's the only other team that can offer you a mega deal) I can't see the Sox being completely out on him.

Fuck, that's disturbing. Piece of shit x1000.

SoxFest is the holdup! Manny clearly doesn’t want to attend. (I joke)

And people wonder why so many Sox fans are bitter and have a chip on their shoulder. The organization gets treated like trash outside it’s fans. I get that some of it is deserved for how it’s been run the past decade or so, but when you have a team with one of the lowest payrolls and in all of baseball and hardly any money committed over the next few years - why would they be considered a long shot? They have the money Manny wants and he fits on this team ridiculously well.

I don’t recall seeing this mentioned, but Melvin Upton was on MLB Network and he said coming from experience that playing with family on the same team is very special and in his case absolutely would play a part in the decision making of where to sign. Also said if there was a big difference in money, you almost have to go with the big money. Nothing we didn’t already know/feel but at least it’s from the perspective of a guy who played with his brother.

I would think Yolmer is the one most worried right now.

I certainly hope so. But the Sox need to opportunity to match the Phillies in $$$ if they beat the Sox initial offer.

If Philly signs both, Soxfest will be a disaster for Hahn and co. That town hall meeting is going to be brutal.

Ugh... Baseball gods, be kind...

Harper is a better fit for Philly because he is a lefty. Manny makes more sense at this point, especially after the Alonso/Jay deals.